[JimWayne]

From the Article:

Mayor Kurt Dykstra turned down the family’s appeal to city council last week, saying that it was to protect downtown restaurant owners who had asked that the “success of the downtown district not be infringed upon by those who don’t share in the costs of maintaining the attractiveness of that space.”

So this is a case of crony capitalism hurting small businesses.

[cripplecreek]

So this is a case of crony capitalism hurting small businesses.

That's what it looks like to me. The Sporting goods store owner saw a good promotional deal for himself as well but other owners got their panties in a wad over it and went running to government.

[Talisker]

Mayor Kurt Dykstra turned down the family’s appeal to city council last week, saying that it was to protect downtown restaurant owners who had asked that the “success of the downtown district not be infringed upon by those who don’t share in the costs of maintaining the attractiveness of that space.”